Tuesday 11 November 2014

A Walk - not just a Ramble!



Health
It is not unusual for my health to dominate my thinking but at the moment it is with positive thoughts.  My GP was away recently and normally I don’t bother seeing anyone else – I just wait till he’s back. It is so much easier than trying to explain my case history to someone new who only has a five minute slot for the whole consultation. But on this occasion I saw another member of the practice.  He suggested a referral to the stroke rehabilitation physiotherapists at Clatterbridge (even though I haven’t had a stroke).  It turned out to be an excellent idea.  Laura, the physiotherapist I saw, was most helpful and understanding.  Neurological consultants are concerned about finding a cause, measuring the progress of the deterioration and finding a solution – and have only been successful at the middle one.  This charming neurological physiotherapist was concerned with the impact that my disability has upon my lifestyle and with finding ways of lessening that impact by tips and tricks and exercises.   I was most impressed.

More Reading but Nothing Serious
Edwards St Aubyn “Never Mind” (1992).  When I read ‘Lost for Words’ I thought I’d found a new author whose works I would love and I looked forward to working my way through his complete works.  He has a series of novels about Patrick Melrose so I chose this, the first one.  One review describes it as ‘epic, intimate, appalling and comic’.  I know the critic was using appalling in the sense of nightmarish or harrowing but I think the use of it in the sense of ‘awful’,  Not for me.  A mere five out of ten.
I have read a few more cosy crime books recently, including some by new authors.  Michael Pearce’s ‘A Dead Man in Malta’ (2010) was enjoyable and ranked about 7 out of 10, bearing in mind it was never meant to be anything more than a fun read.   
Ann Purser’s ‘Tragedy at Two’ (2009) had a slightly darker side, raising, as it did, the thorny issue of gipsies and their effect on a settled village community.  Or the effect of a settled village community on a Romany encampment, depending upon your viewpoint! 
Ann Granger “Testimony of the Hanged Man” (2014).  The latest in the series involving Inspector Ben Ross and his wife Lizzie, investigating crimes in Victorian England.  Fun cosy crime.
Susanna Gregory “Death of a Scholar” (2014).  The twentieth chronicle of Matthew Bartholomew, set in 14th century Cambridge.  Amusing cosy crime and keeps me up-to-date with the whole series.

Claude Izner “The Pere-Lachaise Mystery” (2007).  I mentioned the first in this series recently.  I have now gone on to read this one, the second in the series, and then “The Montmartre Investigation” (2008) and “The Marais Assassin” (2009)
Garth Christian (Ed.) "A Victorian Poacher; James Hawker’s Journal" (1961) The story of a Victorian poacher who spent his life dodging fines and worse as he took hares and rabbits and game-birds from the rich estates to feed himself and other poor.  In those days if a man stole a sheep he got 14 years transportation.  A pheasant would cost him the same.   Not the best read of its kind but interesting nonetheless.

Ponytail and glazed expression
It is a while since I showed a picture of myself so I thought I would treat you to two today – back view with my controversial ponytail and front view with a glazed expression (but perhaps that is usual). 



Autumn Walks
I have had a few walks from home into Heswall recently.  Sometimes I have walked back as well. Walking back is a lot easier because it is mostly downhill.   At other times my bus pass has come in useful.  The first time I walked it I was shattered and my breathing was bad.  It took me 45 minutes.  I can now do it with little more than an ache in my arthritic hip and perhaps a slight tug on another muscle or two.  My time is down to 25 minutes.  That is assuming I don’t keep stopping to take photos which I have done on a few occasions.  













 It’s a lovely time of year for walking.





I usually end up in Avanti – my favourite coffee shop.   Aroma in Irby has nicer coffee but is too noisy and we rarely go there now.  And sadly Linghams coffee shop has become ‘Toast’ which has different staff from the old days and little variety - the name Toast just about sums it up.


Would you like to join me for a cappuccino?

21 comments:

  1. John, delighted as I am that you feel well enough to post. Today is about those that are past feeling anything.

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  2. I'll pass on the cappuccino, but the walk looks lovely.

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  3. How fun to see the photo that says Avanti. I am meeting 2 friends for lunch tomorrow at an Avanti restaurant here in California. I like some cozy mystery series too and will check out the Pere Lachaise series. Do you like the Rhys Bowen series with Lady Georgina as the star? I do and also the Laurie King series starring Sherlock Holmes and his young wife. Enjoy your walk and glad you found some new medical support.

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    1. I hadn't heard of Rhys Bowen so I have just ordered one to give it a try. Thanks for the tip - they are always useful and sometimes lead to a whole new series to read.

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  4. Well, i like the ponytail, and i would love to have coffee with you and your family! It would be fun.

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  5. Such an encouraging and upbeat post! You do sound like you're on one of your up streaks. The photos are lovely. So very few places to walk here in the States -- except in large park areas. At least in our new location our park has quite a few walking area and little moving traffic. I love it so much here. Our long summer of warm temps, from March to November has been wonderful -- except that we badly need rain. At last some is forecast for next week.

    All your book titles and descriptions sound much like my taste in books, but I don't get to the library very often now. Fortunately our community clubhouse has a pretty good library (donations) for it's size and i'm now catching up on books i should have read years ago, "The Eye of the Needle" and Jeffrey Archer's many selections, but the latter lived such a life of deceit and finagling, I almost hate to read him. A lying deceitful person is one of my big bugaboos. Comes from all those years teaching high schoolers. They could look you in the eye and flat out brazenly
    lie. Fortunately there were those who made teaching worthwhile.

    Nothing wrong with a pony tail. Makes you look very academic!

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    1. I agree about Jeffrey Archer - I find it difficult to divorce his character from his writing and it is now a long time since I read any of his.

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  6. Congratulations on the walking progress! Looks like you have more colours left in nature over there too... (compared to here)

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  7. That's great news about your new therapist, CJ. Must be such a relief for you. Your walk sounds delightful, all those lovely colours around you and a great destination.

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  8. Beautiful landscapes and pictures, glad to hear that you are enjoying your walks and your reading! Fingers crossed it all continues to improve.

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  9. Well, where to start? First of all, I'd love to have a cappuccino with you!! And to take that beautiful walk from your home into town. Where you live looks so idyllic. How great that you are getting some good news and help regarding your health. Love the ponytail - when we lived in New Mexico, many men were sporting ponytails. Not so much here in Georgia... And the books you listed look like they are right up my alley. I will make note of them and see if I can get them at our library. At least the ones you think are worth reading. xoxo Silke

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  10. So glad to hear that you are out walking again. Slow and steady wins the race, so don't push yourself too hard, just take it gradually. We walk every day with the mutt - that's one good thing about beagles - they have a lot of energy and need a lot of exercise, and I have to keep up!
    And yes, I would love to join you for a cappucino - my treat, as thanks for all the years you've listened to me chunter on about all and sundry! :)

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    1. If anyone owes anyone anything - I.O.U. (in capital letters!)

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  11. I do not use Pinterest but do not mind your posting my photo there. I have to come back and read this post as I was wondering what you have been up to.

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    1. Thanks - I really do like that picture. And for those who want to know to what I am referring - please visit Tabor's blog.

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  12. I don't drink coffee but I would love a hot chocolate! I enjoyed the walk today..especially the beauty of your Fall in England! I was excited to see the buckeye nut in the one pic..Ohio is known as the Buckeye State and we have a tree here at the Pines. I also enjoyed seeing your pics of you...makes blogging more personal when a face goes with a post! Glad you got a second opinion of sorts...hope they can find some solutions or therapy that can give you some relief. Have a good week John!

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  13. So happy that you are well enough to be out enjoying a walk in the great outdoors....lovely scenery and good weather.
    Second opinions can be just what the doctor ordered sometimes....I hope that Laura and her team are able to help you combat your illness.....saying a prayer for you.

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  14. How good that you talked to someone else at the surgery and they referred you to someone so helpful!
    I am truly impressed by your progress in walking, but glad you took the time to take the beautiful and interesting pictures you show us here. And while I'd not want a cappuccino (I prefer my coffee black and sweet, can't stand hot milk), I'd very gladly join you at your table at "Avanti" for a nice chat and hopefully a slice of cake.

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  15. I think I recognize something besides the ponytail in that photo... *wink*

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  16. Happy to see that you are enjoying walking. I want to thank you for introducing me to Claude Izner. I am reading the first book and enjoying it very much. Never would have found it without you. Thank you.

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